US625258A

US625258A - Method of and means for constructing embedded inclosures

Info

Publication number: US625258A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1899-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 1916-05-16

Description

No. 625,258. Patented May l6, I899. W. H; GROW.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOB CDNSTRUCTING EMBEDDED INCLDSUBES.

(Application filed May 31, 1898.) I {No Model.) 4 Sheik-Sheet i.

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No. 625,258. Patented'May l6, I899.

. W. H. GROW. METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR GONSTRUCTING EMBEDDED INCLDSURES. (Application filed May 31, 1898.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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Patented May l6, I899.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. H. GROW.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CONSTBUCTING EMBEDDED lNCL-DSURES.

(Application filed May 31, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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No. 625,258. Patented May l6, I899. W. H. GROW.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CDNSTRUCTING EMBEDDED INCLDSURES.

(Application filed May 81, 1898.)

No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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INVENTOR llllllllllllllllllllll III"! Allarney UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM II. GROWV, OF VVINFIELD, KANSAS.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR CONSTRUCTING EMBEDDED INCLOSURES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,258, dated May 16, 1899.

Application filed May 31, 1898. Serial No. 682,174- (No model-Y To all whom it may concern:

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to means for constructing embedded ground-inclosures, such as storage-caves, cellars, outbuildings generally, cisterns, and other analogous structures.

The method of construction consists in forming a surrounding or boundary trench of suitable depth, filling in a-quantity of mortar, cement, or other plastic material, and

forming an arch thereover, permitting such filled-in material to set and harden in an airexcluded condition, and afterward removing the earth or dirt from the hardened inclosure to form the cave or other embedded structure.

The means embody certain arrangements, constructions, and combinations of devices, walls, and arches, which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to produce a structure of the character specified in a simple and cheap manner and increase its strength and durability and by causing the cement or concrete to harden while excluded from the air to form a homogeneous surrounding wall or supporting part alike throughout and having no weak places therein.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view of the simplest form of cave or earth-embedded inclosure constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a cave or other earth-embedded structure, showing a supporting-pillar formed therein. Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view looking down on the dome of the cave, cellar, or other embedded structure and showing a metallic archsupport therein. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a portion of the arch-supporting framework shown by Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view of a modification in ,the construction of the device shown by Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of a portion of the side wall on opposite sides of the door-opening. Fig. 71s an enlarged section through a portion of the dome and dash, illustrating the means for reinforcing said dash. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of steps adapted, to be positioned in a trench leading to the door. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of a cistern-inclosure. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a section of ground, showing the manner of forming tions of the embedded inclosure to be formed.

The simplest form of the invention is shown by Fig. 1, and to clearly bring out the manner of constructingthe same the trench above referred to is first constructed by removing the earth and placing it on the unexcavated portion surrounded by the said trench and packed down to form a convex surface or mold, which is sprinkled with sand. The trench is then partially or entirely filled with cement, concrete, mortar, or other plastic material, which is primarily of such consistency as to readily flow and settle in'every interstice, and the said mold is likewise covered with similar material to form a dome 1*,which becomes continuous with the wall in the surrounding trench. It is preferred that the cement dome 1 be applied over the earth-mold previous to the hardening of the filling in the surrounding trench, and at the same time the said dome is formed adash 2 is constructed at a point adjacent to the location of the door-opening, said dash being, formed of material similar to the dome and surrounding wall and elevated a sufficient distance, as well as extended on opposite sides of the trench,which is primarily formed at the point where the door is to be located. A dirt covering is placed on the top of the dome, and the function of the dash is to prevent the dirt from being washed ofi and into the trench leading to the door, and as considerable pressure will be brought to bear against the dash resistance means, which will be hereinafter more particularly referred to, will be supplied to reinforce the said dash against breakage or fracture. At the same time that the surrounding trench is formed laterally-projecting trenches 2 are also constructed, as shown by Fig. 10, and located in parallel planes 011 opposite sides of the entrance to the door-opening3. of each of these trenches 2 are vertically grooved at regularintervals, as at 2 and said trenches are filled with cement, concrete, or mortar before the surrounding wall of the main structure becomes hard, in order that a homogeneous connection may be established. The said walls on the opposite sides of the entrance are first covered with dirt to exclude the air, and after hardening the inner surface of each wall is exposed by clearing the unexcavated earth away therefrormwhich will leave a series of vertical ribs, as 3. All the walls and parts generally are left for a sufficient length of time to harden or set previous to pursuing any further operations. hardening process will be very effective in View of the entire exclusion of air, and after it is completed and the surrounding wall, as well as the dome and side walls of the entrance, is thoroughly dry the dirt from the interior is removed through the door-opening and the said side walls of the entrance eX-' posed in the manner set forth. The floor is all that remains to be made, and this can be readily done and be composed either of the same material as the surrounding wall and dome, an ordinary board flooring, or a brickbase, as may be desired The entrance-way primarily formed to lead to the door-opening is intended to have means of descent and ascent mounted therein. In ordinary structures, and particularly small caves, a series of common wooden steps 4 can be placed in proper position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and in detail in Fig. 8; but the preferable way of making these steps is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, wherein a filling of cement, as at 5, is positioned between the ribs 3 at regular varying elevations, and so that an upper tread is formed and in front of which and bearing at its opposite ends against opposite alined ribs a wooden riser 5 is mounted to protect the same. This provides a very-solid stairway, and the outermost cement filling forming the first or top step at the entrance virtually constitutes a wall which will add strength to the structure. The said stairway, if made at the proper time, will also become firmly secured to the opposite side walls of the entrance.

As previously set forth, the dash 2 is reinforced by placing metallic rods 6 diagonally across from the inner upper portion of the dash to an opposite adjacent part of the dome. As many of these rods can be used as are found necessary, and the opposite ends are embedded in the dash and dome at the points of engagement with the latter. In the for- Theinner walls The" mation of the surrounding wall in the trench an aperture of suitable dimensions is left therein to form the door-opening 3, and, as shown by Fig. 6, the wall on opposite sides of the said door-opening is thickened, as at 7, and to further strengthen the structure at this point metallic rods 8 are embedded in the wall at regular intervals and preferably in a horizontal plane, and also-for apurpose which will be hereinafter referred to. A door-frame 9 is mounted in the door-opening and is securedin position either by the rods 8, which then become bolts, or other means, and attached to said frame is a door 10, which preferably opens inwardly into the cave or confined space.

In all the forms of the structure a bent rod 11 is inserted in the upper portion of the surrounding wall at the point or adjacent to the juncture of the base of the dome with said wall. This is to establish strength and resistance against pressure exerted by the weight above on the said surrounding wall. A yielding of the wall at the juncture of the dome or arch is fatal to the sufficient support of the latter, and the said rod 11 obviates springing at-thesides,and consequently a stable position of the, said dome or arch is provided.

As shown by Fig. 2, and in every large structure, it maybe found necessary to support the dome or arch from the inner side by regularly-positioned pillars 12, which are formed by boring out the earth at predeter mined points within the confines of the surrounding trench and filling the holes with cement, concrete, mortar, or other plastic material similar to the wall in said trench. Each of the pillars is carried up through the mold of earth placed on the unexcavated portion within the said surrounding wall, which provides a mold for the dome or arch and has rested thereon a plate 13 of suitable material, against which the inner side of the dome at the point where the pillar is applied has bearing, and the support of said pillar, through the medium of the plate, is distributed over a large surface. These pillars may be shaped in various ways, and the number employed within the confined space will be regulated in accordance with the dimensions or proportions of the structure generally and the dome or arch particularly.

In ordinary or small structures it is unnecessary to reinforce the dome or arch; butin many instances an auxiliary strengthening device will be required, and, as shown in Fig. 3, a series of radial ribs let have their lower ends brought to bear against the bent rod 11 embedded in the upper portion of the surrounding wall and their upper ends attached to a central collar 15. Resting upon or secured to the said ribs is a concentric ring or rod 16, and thisentire auxiliary is placed in position on the upper convex surface of the earth mold of the dome or arch previous to IIO the application of the cement or concrete.

' When said concrete or cement is spread upon the mold and over the ribs, as stated, it of course sinks in around said ribs, and the reinforcing -network formed by the several parts is secured and greatly adds to the resisting power of the dome or arch. It is preferred that this auxiliary reinforcement be not exposed on the outer or exterior side of the dome or arch, but may be seen on the interior and so arranged as to have a corrugated or fluted appearance, particularly if the dirt of the mold is pressed up between the ribsor radial trenches formed to receive said ribs. In Fig. 4 the arrangement of the ribs and other parts of this auxiliary reinforce are clearly shown, and it will be observed that they snugly fit each other, and any means found best adapted for the purpose will be used in connecting and holding in position the component parts of this device. It is intended, however, that the lower ends of the ribs particularly be rested on the bent rod in the upper part of the surround ing wall, and for this purpose the lower ends of said ribs are cut away to form shoes to prevent them from slipping. Also at points where the intermediate ring 16 engages the said ribs the said ring and adjacent ribs at intervals may have opposite slots formed therein to make a fiush joint 17 when the parts are fitted together, and likewise the upper ends of said ribs maybe notched or cut away, as at their lower ends, to rest upon the collar 15.

In Fig. 5 a modification of the 'construction and arrangement of the auxiliary reinforce of the dome or arch is shown, and, like that set forth, comprises the lower bent rod 11, the intermediate ring 16, and the upper central collar 15. The ribs, however, in this instance are shown varied in arrangement, andv between alternate long ribs shorter ribs 18 extend from the intermediate ring 16 to the bent rod 11. This arrangement could also be equally well adopted in the construction shown by Figs. 3 and 4, and one means for supporting the ribs (shown by Fig. 5) is in the form of links 19, which are placed at regular intervals on the ring 16. The upper ends of the shorter ribs 18 are then inserted in the lower depending portions of the said links and given a quarter-twist, which draws the said ends of the shorter ribs closely against the under portion of the ring 16, it being understood that the links will be of such length as to arrive at the desired securement attained in the manner set forth. The longer ribs are also in like manner secured by the links, but the upper ends thereof rest against the collar 15, as clearly shown, and by this means all of the ribs are brought within the same plane under the said ring- 16. The cement or concrete is applied over this form of reinforce in the manner similar to the previously-described form.

In connecting the opposite ends of the bent rod 11, which is embedded in the surroundshown by Fig. 3, a metal plate 20 is embedded in the wall, which adds additional strength to this part of the structure, and the opposite ends of said plate project beyond the opposite terminations of the side walls of the trench leading to the doorway. There are a number of ways in which this plate can be mounted to arrive at the desired result.

In Fig. 9 the manner of forming a cistern is shown, and the mode of procedure is the same as in buildinga cave or cellar, as heretofore set forth, except that a piece of pipe or a collar is inserted in the central top part of the dome large enough for use asa manhole and to permit a man to pass into the interior of the cistern structure to remove the dirtin making the proper excavation. Other incidental attachments might also be em ployed such, for instance, as a drain-pipe leading through the dome into the cistern-and the features of construction heretofore enumerated will also be used in this form of inclosure. It is also necessary to apply ventilating means to the inclosure set forth, and this may be accomplished by securing a piece of terra-cotta pipe to the collar15, or any other tubular device might be attached at this point. \Vhere the dome is built without an auxiliary reinforce, other means will be used in securing ventilation, or a mold-pipe of the same material as the dome might be built upward fromthe latter by theprimarypositioning of a cylindrical mold of a suitable nature. In running up all parts of the structure above the ground surface extraneous moldingboards will be employed and positioned apart from each other a distance equal to the thickness of the extended portion, and particularly in making the dash.

- From the foregoing disclosure of the invention it will be observed that the salient feature resides in making structures of all characters underground prior to excavation.

propersuch as a wall, arch, pillar, or other useful deviceand so arranging them that they will dry or set without being in contact with the air and using the earth itself as a mold. This form of device is particularly beneficial in making cellars, large and small reservoirs, vaults, stock-sheds, stables, poultry-houses, or other inclosures that are less liable to be destroyed when below the ground surface or for other beneficial purposes.

To increase the room-space of underground structures made in accordance with the foregoing disclosure, a number of surrounding walls of circular or other form might be arranged adjacent to each other and having the invention.

same or various kinds of stock can be stabled separately. In this connection also it would be advisable at times to dispense with the use of the stairway and substitute therefor an inclined flooring with ribs thereon to permit the cattle to gain a foothold. This plural positioning of several structures is not illustrated and would be simply a duplication of the form shown and does not involve any departure from the original intent and purpose'of While numerous structural features have been set forth as valuable and practical additions, it will be understood that such other devices as are applicable and not enumerated heretofore will be employed at will, and, further, that changes in the proportions, dimensions, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature or spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Havingthus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An earth-embedded inclosure comprising a surrounding wall with a door-opening in one portion and an upper meeting dome or arch, the upper part of the said surrounding wall at the point of juncture with the arch having an embedded rod therein to reinforcethe said wall against superimposed weight of the dome or arch, the opposite sides of the door-opening being thickened and having reinforce rods or bars applied thereto.

2. An earth-embedded inclosure comprising an outer surrounding wall with a rod located in the upper portion thereof and having the top dome or arch and a door-opening in one portion, a pillar extending up through the inclosed space and having a plate resting on the under side of the dome or arch, the said pillar, surrounding wall, and dome or arch being constructed of cement or analogous material and hardened by excludingthe air therefrom by a covering, a dash beingextended upward from the dome above the dooropening to prevent the earth from falling or washing into said opening, and means for reinforcing the said dash.

3. An earth-embedded inclosure comprisinga surrounding wall with an upper inclosed reinforcerod and a dome or arch resting thereon and forming a homogeneous part thereof, the said surrounding wall having a door-opening .in one portion, and the dome provided with a dash above and adjacent to said door-opening, the opposite walls surrounding the door-opening being widened and reinforced, and steps leading to the said dooropening. I

4. An earth-embedded inclosure comprising a surrounding wall with ,an upper rein force-rod and a dome or arch formed as a homogeneous part thereof, the said surrounda reinforce, and a reinforce in the dome comprising an uppercollar and intermediate ring or analogous shaped support and radial ribs which engage the reinforce-rod in the upper part of the surrounding wall at their lower ends, the collar at their upper ends and also the intermediate support.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVILLIAM I-I. GROW.

Witnesses:

ALLEN O. DAVIS, JOHN F. COGDA.